John Boyega Emerges as Big Winner in Star Wars VII Casting (Video)

John Boyega has been cast in the upcoming Disney reboot of ‘Star Wars.’ It could be a big breakout role for him.

John Boyega, a British actor, best known for playing Moses in the 2011 indie sci-fi film “Attack the Block,” has scored what could be a major breakout role in the new Disney-produced “Star Wars” trilogy.

Casting for the film has been clouded in mystery, with most of the attention focused on whether stars from the original film would make appearances.

As it turns out, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford will all reprise their roles. Hamill starred as Luke Skywalker, Fisher played Princess Lea and Ford was the maverick star-fighter Han Solo.

But the film will also be a catalyst for some new stars. Boyega is only 22. He was born in southeast London to Nigerian parents and has always had acting in his blood. He appeared in his first production at age 5.

He was a performing arts student at South Thames College and trained at the Identity Drama School in Hackney and earned a place in the school’s Hall of Fame, according to the school’s Web site.

Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Kenny Baker, who played android C-3PO, Chewbacca and android R2-D2, respectively, are also returning in the film.

Although Boyega’s film resume is short, his acting stood out in “Attack the Block.” He won a British Independent Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer and a New York Film Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, Comedy.

The new Star Wars is set some 35 years after “Return of the Jedi.” Darth Vader is dead and three hot, young newcomers are the focus of the film.

So far, Boyega’s role has not been announced. But expect him to be stellar however he’s cast.

“Star Wars Episode VII” is slated to be released next year. Check out the video below and follow TheImproper on Twitter to stay up to speed on all the latest Star Wars developments.

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Keith Girard is Editor and Publisher of TheImproper, New York City’s cutting edge arts, entertainment pop culture and lifestyle Web magazine. Before that, he was editor-in-chief of Billboard magazine and a reporter for the Washington Post among other media positions.